Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer…Here I am! (Is. 58:1-9a)

Today the prophet Isaiah speaks some hard words. He points to where true faith is to be found. Our outward observances mean nothing unless our inward spirit matches. We may be praying that the Lord will heal some calamity in our country or change an unjust political and economic situation, and nothing much seems to happen, thus we complain like the Israelites that Yahweh is not paying attention. These words are from centuries ago but still apply.  Lent must be a time of true conversion where the virtues of mercy, (untying the yokes, sharing bred with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed, and clothing the naked) become an integral part of our prayer and fasting. Isaiah ends with the heartening words that the Lord will answer, “Here I am!”